Action/Thriller, 114 Minutes, 2015
There is a kit, used since the 80’s, to create disaster movies. The parts are all optional, but the kit generally produces something that looks an awful lot like what’s come before. As I’ve said, originality isn’t always a metric of quality, but when your movie’s plot almost completely mirrors Sharknado [IMDB] you might be starting at a disadvantage.
My new chit-chat suit. Strong, my eyes are up here!
I continue my play diary of Fallout 4. I’m making progress even with TV access limited by family holiday visits. As I promised, I finally rescued poor Nick Valentine. He had been waiting for the better part of an (in game) year, but didn’t seem any the worse for wear. I immediately began ignoring him again.
I did some spring cleaning of my gear and created a new high-charisma talky-chatty suit. With Agatha’s Dress, a jaunty newsboy cap and some fashionable glasses, my Charisma is boosted to 12 for those important persuasions. I also did some minor improvements to my armor and weapons.
I spent all those perk points that I had stockpiled on day 21. Firstly, I finished off settlements by taking two ranks of Cap Collector (allowing me to build emporiums) and the first rank of Medic (allowing me to build medical facilities). I also upped my Luck to six and purchased two ranks of Better Criticals as my criticals were feeling a little anemic. Later, when I reached level 51, I added another point to Endurance.
Obviously, there will be spoilers ahead!
“Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace” on IMDB
Sci-Fi/Adventure, 136 Minutes, 1999
I won’t be seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens [IMDB] for at least a few more days. I hate crowds nearly as much as I adore the franchise, so will sneak into an early matinee sometime soon. All of the fuss has made me think of the last “Star Wars” premier I was excited for. (more…)
A terrible future where mutant cows sneak up on innocent settlers.
I continue my play diary of Fallout 4. Last time I begrudgingly decided to go with the flow and do every settlement quest that came along. I continued doing that much longer than any sane person would.
I was actually getting into it for a while. My companions seemed to enjoy it, I was still getting the odd (but increasingly rare) new location to explore and I was finding many things I missed in the old locations. Then I traveled to the Super-Duper Mart and was ambushed by a weird, stray behemoth. That put a bit of a damper on things.
One benefit to my adventuring: I gained six levels and am now level 49. I was so set on trundling through the missions I haven’t spent a single perk point… I’m seriously debating skipping new skills and just maxing out Luck. Maybe a point or two to Endurance or Strength?
Obviously, there will be spoilers ahead!
Comedy/Musical, 115 Minutes, 2015
Nobody was surprised more than I when I thoroughly enjoyed the first movie (my review). It glorified a topic – a cappella singing – that I had, and still have, absolutely no interest in whatsoever. For this 40-something, it was a movie full of 30-somethings, playing 20-somethings aimed at tweens.
Shoot me, I liked it.
Yeah, that’s the good stuff.
I continue my play diary of Fallout 4. Or at least I tried. Last time I swore – pinky swore – that I was going to finally rescue Nick Valentine. I had every intention of doing so: I went back to sanctuary to pick up Piper. I wanted to be clear that despite my recent tryst with Cait, she’d always be my number one lady. We hit the Diamond City Market to stock up and things went south from there.
The distractions were extended, but profitable. I gained no less than eight new levels in this marathon weekend session, bringing me to level 43. I took the fourth ranks of Gunner, Science! and Armorer to max out my crafting capabilities, but remain sadly unimpressed with Armorer. I also worked on my core a bit and raised both Strength and Endurance by a point each for the carrying and the sprinting. I also took the first rank of Demolition Expert, so that I could craft explosives (and put all the lunchboxes I’ve been finding to good use) and the third and final rank of Ninja, for those sneaky strikes. Finally I took the last rank of Sneak, although I’ve yet to truly understand how it works.
Obviously, there will be spoilers ahead!
“The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” on IMDB
Comedy/Drama, 122 Minutes, 2015
I was a big fan of the first film (my review). I spoke extensively about the quality of films featuring older, more experienced actors. This movie? That thing I said: same thing again. That’s not a particularly bad thing. I liked the first movie. It had an amazing cast, a funny, but understated, script and a simple, heart-warming message. This is more of the same and the same is pretty good.
Cait wasn’t the only one with a monkey on her back.
I continue my play diary of Fallout 4. Last time was all about Preston, this time it’s all about Cait. It was supposed to be all about Nick Valentine, but yet again I got distracted and ended up going off in a different direction.
On the character front, I spent the perk points I had been stockpiling on cleaning up a few outstanding things. I took the third levels of both Hacker and Locksmith. No secret is safe from me! Although I specifically said I wasn’t going to, I also took the next level of Armorer. I really wanted to construct ultra-light armor.
Obviously, there will be spoilers ahead!
I got a new hat!
I continue my play diary of Fallout 4. Before I begin, an embarrassing admission: I’ve been permanently banned from Reddit’s /r/fo4 for posting these diary entries. They were considered spam. I disagree, of course, but respect the decision.
I have no hard feelings towards the moderators. They’re just doing what they think is best. I will say that a one-strike-and-you’re-out perma-ban policy is harsh. It’s easier, to be sure, but it’s also lazy. People get better when they’re helped to get better; when they’re given a chance to do better.
I’ve been doing this site, in its current form, for over five years. I’ve produced hundreds of thousands of words of material. Almost nobody reads it. I earn nothing from it. Obviously I enjoy when people do read it – who wouldn’t? – but I don’t expect it. An audience would be nice, of course, but it’s not the goal or else I would have given up long ago.
For the little that it’s worth: I sincerely apologize if these posts have offended anybody. That said, back to the wasteland!
Obviously, there will be spoilers ahead!
“Fire City: The End of Days” on IMDB
Fantasy/Thriller, 101 Minutes, 2015
The idea that demons feed on our suffering isn’t new. It’s been a staple of fantasy and horror for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years. The specifics vary, but one fact remains true: our misery is delicious. (To demons, at least.)
“Pitch Perfect 2” on IMDB
